Indian account on X gets schooled over ‘lassi, paratha’ origins

A Canada-based Pakistani influencer found herself at the center of an online debate after an Indian social media user took offense at her description of lassi and paratha as “South Asian” rather than “Indian” food in her viral vlog.

The influencer, known on Instagram as @looksbyhala, had recently posted videos of a “desi camping” trip with her family. The wholesome clips, showing the family cooking, cleaning, and enjoying traditional dishes in a forest setting, went viral, drawing millions of views and widespread praise for their authenticity and warmth.

However, controversy erupted when an Indian account on X reposted one of Hala’s clips, accusing her of “deliberately avoiding” calling lassi and paratha Indian. In the video, Hala described lassi as a “cold South Asian drink made with yogurt, water, and sugar,” and paratha as “South Asian flatbread.”

The Indian user’s aggressive remarks sparked backlash online, with many users calling out the misplaced outrage and reminding the account of the shared cultural heritage across the region.

X users stated that she was using the South Asian term and she is not trying to claim anything and criticsed him for spreading unnecessary hate.

Another user added, “Pakistanis, including myself, use the term ‘South Asian’ to acknowledge and respect the shared culture among all eight South Asian countries.”

Several users also pointed out that lassi and paratha have deep roots in regions that are now part of Pakistan. “Lassi originated in Punjab, and paratha traces back to Peshawar, both in present day Pakistan,” one user wrote, debunking the claim.

Pakistanis (including myself) like to use the term 'South Asian' just because we respect and celebrate the shared culture/food with the other EIGHT South Asian countries.

What are they feeding these Indian kids these days? The zunthood is taking them out long before unc stage. https://t.co/xu8CaIuTMw

— Cassandra has issues (@PoltclCassandra) October 30, 2025

Lassi originated in Panjab (mostly Pakistan), so it's definitely not indian. You poopjeets are lactose intolerant anyway, you drink cow piss, waste the milk. And the origins of paratha are not known, except that it was in south Asia.

— Haider 🇵🇰 (@dastarkhon) October 30, 2025

more than half of Indians cant digest Milk/Lassi properly have issues doing you cant kang to everything in the subcontinent cope and seethe https://t.co/79lQndru26 pic.twitter.com/JLeXjOCFzx

— Sammy 🇵🇰🇵🇸🍁 (@Sajjad76658110) October 30, 2025

Parathas and Lassi have been consumed in Punjab for hundreds of years. Majority of Punjabis are in Pak so fk "south asian" that is straight up Pakjabi food culture

Wtf these sanghis smoking lool https://t.co/SzUzbArcPN

— Zero. (Silent Ninja Hours) (@Zerodarknerdy1) October 30, 2025

even arguing about this & saying this shit is cringe but more than half of your country cannot digest milk, and lassi + paratha both originated in modern day pakistan

they’re saying south asian and you should be happy with that you miserable fuck, noone wanna claim you 😭 https://t.co/KcNJLY0dgL

— heer 🍁 (@heeroffline) October 30, 2025

Well, yes, it’s quite simple to understand.
You’re conflating a modern national identity with a historical cultural/geographical region. Sure, you can go on about how all the land is rightfully yours, and they can argue the same about what’s rightfully theirs. But the reality is… https://t.co/CyocdTO9eM

— Aslan Pahari (@AslanPahariii) October 31, 2025